Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-01-27
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The Rules of Action Laid Down by
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benjamin Franklin.
In these times when there are all sorts
Of labor agitAtors, from the sincere,
earnest and too often mistaken, to the
selfish and wilfully misleading dema-
gogue, II IL interesting to read the fol-
lowing from an editorial In the New York
Epeafpg Post
A lady of philanthropic impulses, who
had become impressed with the ignorance
of fundamental principles of living which
ane found peryading the poorer CLASSES,
resolved to do her part toward bringing
about an improvement by practicing in
stead of preaching. Accordingly she
gathered class of girls, and set out to
teach them how to cook, how to sew, how
TO do all the work Of an ordinary house
hold, in order that, if they married, and
had homes Of their own, they might be
able 60 manage them efficiently and
economically. Finding that they did not
appear 10 comprehend her motive or OBJ
iect, she said to them "Girls, what do
you suppose is my reason for trying to
teach yoa ~ witha@ moments hesita-
ton one Of them replied, ''To make
Indies Of u.s. "And what is your idea
of lady ?" asked the teacher. "a lady
was the prompt answer, sis a woman
who has good clothes and nothing to do. y
This brief conversation throws iood
of light upon most important phase OF
"the labor problem the ideal which il
now held before the laboring classes by
their instructors and guides. What that
ideal used to be cannot be better under.
stood than by n perusal of "PooI
Richards Almanac" which Houghton
Miffiin a. Go. have just republished in
their fifteen cent 'lslverside Literature
Series.n This most characteristic worl
OF Benjamin Franklin has long been ou
Of print and practically inaccessible u
the average reader, so that to ninety
persons out of hundred it now possessei
all the charm of new discovery. 1t i,
hardly an exaggeration to say that M
pthpr single Influence had done more thar
this Ittle collection Of pithy sayings t.
develop the character Of the typieR
American nottingham Of q quarter of
century ago--a selt.reliant man, who be
lieved that the only way to ''get on in thu
worldn was TO work hard, avoid drink
live economically, and accumulate from
his savings little capital of his own
through the prudent use of which h
might the more rapidly better his condi
ton.
It is worth any ones while to run hi
eye through this almanac" and lear
what were the homely rules of action lai
down by tine man whose proverbs so lon
colored the life of the American people
They were all comprehended in the ell
forcement of few cardinal virtues lik
industry, sobriety, economy, self-relianct
but 80 happily diversified by wonderful
variety of expression as to produce Away
the impression of a new truth. Take thes
samples
God helps them that help themselvt
Sloth makes all things difficult, but in
dustry all things easy.
What signifies wishing and hoping 70
better times? We may make these time
better, if we bestir ourselves. Industr
need not wish.
There are no gains without pains the
help, hands for have no lands.
What though YOU have found II
treasure, nor has any Eieh relation LOT
you legacy, Diligence is the mother Q
good luck, as poor Richard says and Go
gives all things to industry.
Methinks l hear some Of you say
''Must man afford himself no leisure
will tell thee my friend, what poe
Richard says, Employ thy time well,
thoumeanest TO gain leisure; and sint
thou art not sure of minute, throw nj
away an kour
Think of saving as well as of getting
What maintains one vice would bril
up two children.
Many a little makes mickle.
Beware of little expenses; small lei
will sink great ship.
Get whatyou can, and what you get hol
IT'S the stone that will turn all your lei
into gold.